Asmussen Confident with Curlin on Belmont Eve

Trainer Steve Asmussen is confident that Curlin will finish strong in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

"He is a competitor," said Asmussen in his first meeting with the media at Belmont Park the morning of June 8. "I think our strategy (in the Belmont) is very similar to what we always do. You know your horse and you control what you can control. I hope he is away from the gate cleanly and I hope he goes well over the racetrack. From point A to point B he is a very tough horse to beat. I think the adjustments that need to be made will be made by other horses trying to beat him."

Curlin will break from post three under jockey Robby Albarado in the Belmont. The pair is listed as the 6-5 morning line favorite.

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Filly Rags to Riches Ready for Belmont Stakes

The fabulous filly will run Saturday in the Belmont Stakes, where she will attempt to become the first of her sex in 102 years to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

"We're going in because we think we have a chance to win," Pletcher said Tuesday morning outside his barn at Belmont Park. "The filly is doing very well."

"It should make it interesting," Pletcher said. "I'll be as excited as anyone else."

The 3-year-old filly is a daughter of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy and a half-sister to Jazil, last year's Belmont winner.

Rags to Riches would be the first filly in eight years and 22nd ever to run in the Belmont. Silverbulletday finished seventh in 1999, and two fillies have won Tanya in 1905 and Ruthless in 1867.

"Arguably, she has the best pedigree for this race any horse could ever have," Pletcher said.

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Belmont Decision for Streent Sense Due Thursday

Street Sense breezed four furlongs in 49 seconds, his first work since finishing second by a head to Curlin in the Preakness on May 19.

Trainer Carl Nafzger said, "here's something about this horse, he's a fast horse. I don't necessarily say that's an asset or not, but he worked :49 this morning and never did drop his head." He added, "That makes Mr. Tafel's decision harder. All I have to do is fill him in on where we're at."

Jockey Calvin Borel said he'd love to get another shot at Curlin, who is set for the Belmont Stakes. An announcement on the colt's status for the final leg of the Triple Crown is scheduled on Thursday.

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